BDP CC overrules regional committee on vetting
Chakalisa Dube | Thursday September 7, 2017 13:27
The ruling party released a list of candidates for the Francistown South primaries billed for October 21, 2017. Winners for the primaries will secure candidacy for the 2019 general elections.
On the list the party announced that it had barred one Ojahile Lejowa, who had expressed a wish to contest the primaries in Ikageleng ward, which is under Francistown South.
Although the party did not advance reasons for barring Lejowa, indications are he was accused of not being active in the party.
However, Mmegi has established that on Tuesday, the ruling party decided to reverse its decision against Lejowa.
It is said that after thorough investigation the party established that Lejowa was a BDP member in good standing.
“The decision to allow Lejowa to contest was taken during a meeting with the BDP deputy secretary general, Shaw Kgathi and some regional leaders on Tuesday afternoon. Some members of the branch who know him well intervened,” said an insider who attended the meeting with Kgathi.
Kgathi was on a mission to introduce himself to the party’s Francistown region. He was recently appointed a representative of the region in the party central committee.
Lejowa is also said to have tabled a complaint regarding his omission from the list of primary election participants.
Yesterday, BDP Francistown region chairperson, Baemedi Medupi refused to comment.
On the other hand BDP Francistown South branch chairperson, Marobela Marobela said that he was not in a position to divulge details surrounding the primaries in Francistown South.
“The party will issue a statement regarding who has been omitted from participating at the elections,” he said yesterday.
Despite strong suggestions that he has submitted a complaint to the party regarding his omission, Lejowa told Mmegi that he was not aware that he had been barred from taking part in the primaries.
“I have also not submitted any complaint letter as insinuated,” he said yesterday.
Meanwhile, candidates for the primary elections in Francistown have also been granted permission to start campaigning.
A contest between former Francistown South legislator, Khumongwana Maoto and former Francistown Deputy Mayor, Lamodimo Dikomang will headline the primaries.
The two are eager to secure the parliamentary primaries in (Francistown South).
Former Francistown South branch Secretary, Modiri Lucas is a dark horse in the race.
The winner of the BDP primaries is likely to face incumbent Wynter Mmolotsi of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).